Monday, February 7, 2011

VH1 8-Track Flashback (An Episode Guide)

Well, my first blog in ever so long. And what a groovey blog it will be. It's all about the great late 90s TV series on VH1 called 8-Track Flashback. This was, in my opinion, the best show VH1 ever did.

In 1996, VH1 jumped on the 70s nostalgia wave with the launch of three shows. They dug The Midnight Special and American Banstand (only the 1975-85 episodes) out of the vaults. They also premiered a new series called 8-Track Flashback. The show was 30 minutes and hosted by the fabulous David Cassidy. The show featured vintage 70s videos and performances of top hits. Each show had a title or theme that was used to connect each of the videos shown. Also featured were 'Flashback Segments' that reinforced the title or theme.

Ultimately the show would have a total of three hosts. David Cassidy (24 episodes0, Leif Garrett (5 episodes), and Suzanne Somers (26 episodes). The final episode, which was pretty much produced to round out the run and end up with an even number of episodes, was hosted by Cynthia Garrett. In the end there are 56 episodes of the series.

I managed to record several episodes myself and what I didn't have I managed to purchase online for sellers on Ioffer, ebay and other sites. While my recordings were not in the best of condition (I taped them in EP speed), buy purchasing then series from others, I was able to upgrade most of my old VHS recordings. In total I managed to obtain 54 of the 56 episodes.

I also had several tapes of 70s videos purchased years ago that contained five additional videos from what turned out to be from an additional two episodes of the series. Both those episodes were hosted by Leif Garrett. Of those two 'lost' episodes I did find someone with an almost complete version of one of the episodes. That episode was titled 'She's A Rebel.' Unfortunately, the opening host segment and first video were missing. I did have the first video from the show, Helen Reddy's 'I Am Woman." So, I was able to to a passable reconstruction of the episode. The final episode hosted by Leif Garrett has proved to be illusive. I have four of the five videos from that show, but I can't seem to come up with the title to the episode. All of the host segments and the flashback segment are missing. However, I did do a reconstruction of the episode but without the host segments and flashback segment, it is just the opening theme, the videos and the closing theme.

Now, as I was doing my research, it became apparant that there wasn't a definitive episode list on the web anywhere. So, here for the first time anywhere is a complete list of all 56 episodes of 8-Track Flashback.

"American Girl" Host: David Cassidy

Maggie Mae - Rod Stewart (1971)
Sara Smile - Hall & Oates (1976)
My Sharona - The Knack (1979)
Flashback Segment: Women’s Movement
Angie - The Rolling Stones (1973)
Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner (1971)

"Love Rollercoaster” Host: David Cassidy

Let's Stay Together - Al Green (1972)
I'm Not in Love - 10cc (1975)
Love Will Keep Us Together - The Captain & Tennille (1975)
Flashback Segment: Evel Knievel
Feels Like The First Time – Foreigner (1977)
Let's Stick Together - Bryan Ferry (1976)

"Glam Rock" Host: David Cassidy

Rock & Roll, Part 2 - Gary Glitter (1972)
Virginia Plain - Roxy Music (1972)
Bang-A-Gong - T. Rex (1972)
Flashback Segment: Gender Bending
Lookin' For A Kiss - New York Dolls (1973)
Space Oddity - David Bowie (1973)

"Funk" Host: David Cassidy

Superstition - Stevie Wonder (1973)
Fire - Ohio Players (1975)
You Sexy Thing - Hot Chocolate (1975)
Flashback Segment: Platform Shoes
Le Freak - Chic (1978)
Rubberband Man - The Spinners (1976)
Tear the Roof Off The Sucker (Give Up The Funk) – Parliament (1976)

"Salute To Queen" Host: David Cassidy

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (1975)
We Will Rock You - Queen (1977)
Somebody To Love - Queen (1976)
Flashback Segment: The Death Of Elvis Presley
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen (1982)
Another One Bites The Dust - Queen (1980)
We Are the Champions - Queen (1977)

"Disco" Host: David Cassidy

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (1978)
Get Down Tonight - K.C. & The Sunshine Band (1975)
You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees (1976)
Flashback Segment: Life Inside A Disco (Studio 54)
I Love The Nightlife (Disco ‘Round) - Alicia Bridges (1978)
YMCA - The Village People (1979)

"Family Groups" Host: David Cassidy

Jive Talkin’ - Bee Gees (1975)
Top Of The World - The Carpenters (1973)
Magic Man - Heart (1976)
Flashback Segment: Watergate
Enjoy Yourself - The Jacksons (1977)
We Are Family - Sister Sledge (1979)

"Salute To ABBA" Host: David Cassidy

Waterloo - ABBA (1974)
S.O.S. - ABBA (1975)
Dancing Queen – ABBA (1976)
Flashback Segment: Roller Skating
Knowing Me, Knowing You – ABBA (1977)
Take a Chance on Me - ABBA (1978)

"Spirit Of '76" Host: David Cassidy

Tonight's The Night - Rod Stewart
Blinded By The Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Afternoon Delight - The Starland Vocal Band
Flashback Segment: Bicentennial Celebration 7/4/76
Hard Luck Woman - Kiss
Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee

"Arena Rock" Host: David Cassidy

Show Me The Way - Peter Frampton (1976)
Substitute - The Who (1974)
The Logical Song – Supertramp (1979)
Flashback Segment: Energy Crisis (Rising Gas Prices)
Silly Love Songs - Paul McCartney & Wings (1976)
Rosealita - Bruce Springsteen (1978)

"Teen Idols" Host: Leif Garrett

I Think I Love You - David Cassidy (1970)
I Only Want To Be With You - Bay City Rollers (1976)
Rockin' Robin - Michael Jackson (1972)
Flashback Segment: Farrah Fawcett
Puppy Love - Donny Osmond (1972)
Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb (1978)
Runaround Sue - Leif Garrett (1977)

"New Wave" Host: David Cassidy

Can't Stand Losing You- The Police (1979)
My Best Friend's Girl - The Cars (1978)
Brass In Pocket - The Pretenders (1980)
Flashback Segment: CBGB’s
Atomic – Blondie (1979)
I Will Follow - U2 (1980)
Peace, Love & Understanding - Elvis Costello (1979)

"Synth Pop" Host: David Cassidy

Pop Muzik – M (1979)
Cars - Gary Numan (1980)
Rock Lobster - The B-52's (1980)
Flashback Segment: American Hostages Released
Whip It - Devo (1980)
Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles (1979)
Money - The Flying Lizards (1979)

"Salute To The Jacksons" Host: David Cassidy

Hit's Medley (I Want You Back/ABC/The Love You Save) – The Jackson 5 (1970)
Rockin' Robin – Michael Jackson (1972)
Dancing Machine – The Jackson 5 (1974)
Flashback Segment: Muhammad Ali
Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) – The Jacksons (1979)
Rock with You - Michael Jackson (1979)

"Sounds Of California" Host: David Cassidy

China Grove - The Doobie Brothers (1973)
It's So Easy - Linda Ronstadt (1977)
Low Down - Boz Scaggs (1976)
Flashback Segment: Jogging
You Make Loving Fun - Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Running On Empty - Jackson Browne (1977)

"Afro" Host: David Cassidy

Rock The Boat - Hues Corporation (1974)
More Than A Feeling – Boston (1976)
Don't Bring Me Down - ELO (1979)
Flashback Segment: Hair Styles
Nothing From Nothing - Billy Preston (1974)
Enjoy Yourself - The Jacksons (1977)

"Popular Duo's" Host: David Cassidy

Rich Girl - Hall & Oates (1977)
Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts (1972)
Shake Your Groove Thing - Peaches & Herb (1979)
Flashback Segment: Woodward & Bernstein
Your Mama Don't Dance - Loggins & Messina (1973)
Do That To Me One More Time - The Captain & Tennille (1980)

"Funk 2" Host: David Cassidy

Low Rider – War (1975)
Brick House - The Commodores (1977)
Living For the City - Stevie Wonder (1973)
Flashback Segment: Blaxplotation Films
Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry (1976)
Tear the Roof Off The Sucker (Give Up The Funk)- Parliament (1976)

"Sounds Of Philadelphia" Host: David Cassidy

Then Came You - The Spinners (1974)
When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees (1974)
She's Gone - Hall & Oates (1976)
Flashback Segment: Rocky
Lady Marmalade - LaBelle (1975)
For the Love of Money - The O'Jays (1974)

"Singer/Songwriter's" Host: David Cassidy

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce (1973)
Anticipation - Carly Simon (1972)
Wild World - Cat Stevens (1971)
Flashback Segment: Coke Commercial (I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing)
Brand New Key - Melanie (1971)
Sweet Baby James - James Taylor (1970)

"Beatles Solo" Host: David Cassidy

Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney (1970)
Back Off Boogaloo - Ringo Starr (1972)
Blow Away - George Harrison (1979)
Flashback Segment: Saturday Night Live – Beatles Offer
Jet - Paul McCartney (1974)
Instant Karma - John Lennon (1970)

"Songs From Popular Movies" Host: Leif Garrett

Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees (1977)
Car Wash - Rose Royce (1978)
You're the One That I Want - Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta (1978)
Flashback Segment: Disaster Films
Acid Queen - Tina Turner (1975)
Live & Let Die - Paul McCartney & Wings (1973)
Shaft - Issac Hayes (1972)

"Disco Fever" Host: Leif Garrett

I Feel Love - Donna Summer (1977)
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – Sylvester (1979)
Disco Inferno - The Trammps (1977)
Flashback Segment: Disco Sucks Movement
Got To Be Real - Cheryl Lynn (1979)
Turn The Beat Around - Vicki Sue Robinson (1976)

"Mellow Memories" Host: Suzanne Somers

Have You Never Been Mellow?& Please Mr. Please - Olivia Newton-John (1975)
I'll Never Love This Way Again - Dionne Warwick (1979)
If You Leave Me Now - Chicago (1976)
Flashback Segment: Transcendental Meditation
Killing Me Softly - Roberta Flack (1973)
I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow (1976)
Snowbird - Anne Murray (1970)

"Monogram" Host: Suzanne Somers

You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - BTO (1974)
Turn To Stone - ELO (1978)
Travelin' Band - CCR (1970)
Flashback Segment: Irons & Personalized T-Shirts
(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again - LTD (1977)
S.O.S. - ABBA (1975)
Jeepster - T. Rex (1971)

"Dancing" Host: Suzanne Somers

Dancing Machine - The Jackson 5 (1974)
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - Leo Sayer (1976)
Dancing Queen - ABBA (1976)
Flashback Segment: K-Tel “Let’s Disco” Commercial
I Was Made For Dancing - Leif Garrett (1979)
Last Dance - Donna Summer (1978)

"New Wave 2" Host: Suzanne Somers

Cruel To Be Kind - Nick Lowe (1979)
Peace, Love & Understanding - Elvis Costello (1979)
Another Nail For My Heart - Squeeze (1980)
Flashback Segment: 1st Test Tube Baby
Is She Really Going Out With Him? - Joe Jackson (1979)
Take Me To The River - Talking Heads (1979)

"Salute To 1972" Host: Suzanne Somers

I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
A Horse With No Name - America
I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers
Flashback Segment: The God Father
You Don't Mess Around With Jim - Jim Croce
Papa Was a Rolling Stone - The Temptations

"Salute To The Carpenters" Host: Suzanne Somers

Close To You - The Carpenters (1970)
We've Only Just Begun - The Carpenters (1970)
Rainy Days & Mondays - The Carpenters (1971)
Flashback Segment: All In the Family
Hurting Each Other - The Carpenters (1971)
Top Of The World - The Carpenters (1973)

"Salute To 1979" Host: Suzanne Somers

I Want You To Want Me - Cheap Trick
In the Navy - The Village People
The Devil Went Down To Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band
Flashback Segment: Designer Jeans
Babe - Styx
Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
Tusk - Fleetwood Mac

"Sounds Of San Francisco" Host: Suzanne Somers

The Joker - The Steve Miller Band (1973)
Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs (1977)
Count On Me - Jefferson Starship (1978)
Flashback Segment: Pet Rock
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Sly & The Family Stone (1970)
One More Saturday Night - The Grateful Dead (1972)

"Salute To 1973" Host: Suzanne Somers

We're An American Band - Grand Funk
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan
Flashback Segment: Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs
Paper Roses - Marie Osmond
Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight & The Pips

"70's Cover Songs" Host: Suzanne Somers

Shop Around - The Captain & Tennile (1977)
Loco Motion - Grand Funk (1974)
Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt (1977)
Flashback Segment: Streaking
On Broadway - George Benson (1978)
Knock On Wood - Ami Stewart (1979)

"Salute To 1970" Host: Suzanne Somers

Venus – The Shocking Blue
Groove Me - King Floyd
American Woman – The Guess Who
Flashback Segment: Kent State
Come & Get It - Badfinger
Spill the Wine – Eric Burdon & War
Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

"Greatest 70's Story Songs" Host: Suzanne Somers

Billy Don't Be A Hero - Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods (1974)
Patches - Clarence Carter (1970)
Cat's In The Cradle- Harry Chapin (1974)
Flashback Segment: Patty Hearst
Run Joey, Run - David Geddes (1975)
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes (1979)
Half-Breed – Cher (1973)

"Bands Named For Towns & States" Host: Suzanne Somers

Don't Look Back - Boston (1978)
Skin Tight - Ohio Players (1974)
25 Or 6 To 4 - Chicago (1970)
Flashback Segment: Custom Vans
Dust in the Wind - Kansas (1978)
Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers (1975)
Kiss And Say Goodbye – The Manhattans (1976)

"Salute To 1975" Host: Suzanne Somers

That's the Way (I Like It) - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
Black Water- The Doobie Brothers
Flashback Segment: Sneakers
Fox On The Run - Sweet
At Seventeen - Janis Ian

"Teen Idols 2" Host: Suzanne Somers

Heart Beat (It's a Love Beat) - The Defranco Family (1974)
Sweet & Innocent - Donny Osmond (1971)
Hey Deanie - Shaun Cassidy (1977)
Flashback Segment: Tiger Beat Making A Teen Idol
Easy Come, Easy Go - Bobby Sherman (1970)
I Just Want To Be Your Everything - Andy Gibb (1977)
One Bad Apple - The Osmonds (1970)

"Money Songs" Host: Suzanne Somers

Money Honey - Bay City Rollers (1976)
Money, Money, Money - ABBA (1977)
For the Love of Money - The O'Jays (1974)
Flashback Segment: Susan Bea Anthony Dollar
Money - The Flying Lizards (1979)
Viva La Money - Tina Turner (1979)
Take The Money & Run (Live) - The Steve Miller Band (1982)

"70's Songs Of Unity" Host: Suzanne Somers

Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder (1973)
I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) - The New Seekers (1973)
Why Can't We Be Friends? - War (1975)
Flashback Segment: Egypt & Israel Peace Treaty
Shower the People - James Taylor (1976)
Imagine - John Lennon (1971)

“Salute To 1971” Host: David Cassidy

Joy To The World - Three Dog Night
Your Song- Elton John
Want Ads - The Honey Cone
Flashback Segment: EPA Commercial (Indian)
Ain’t No Sunshine - Bill Withers
Take Me Home Country Roads - John Denver

“Salute To 1974” Host Suzanne Somers

Rock Your Baby - George McCrae
Radar Love - Golden Earring
Don’t Worry About A Thing - Stevie Wonder
Flashback Segment: Howard Cosell
I’m Leaving It All Up To You - Donny & Marie
Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
Band On The Run - Paul McCartney & Wings

“Salute To 1977” Host: David Cassidy

Best Of My Love - The Emotions
Year Of The Cat – Al Stewart
The Things We Do For Love – 10cc
Flashback Segment: Star Wars
Isn’t It Time – The Babys
Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston
Knowing Me, Knowing You – ABBA

“Salute To 1978” Host: Suzanne Somers

Le Freak – Chic
If I Can’t Have You – Yvonne Elliman
Hot Child In The City – Nick Gilder
Flashback Segment: Fantasy Island
Jack & Jill – Raydio
Miss You – The Rolling Stones
Baker Street – Gerry Referty

“Classic Rock” Host Suzanne Somers

Kashmir – Led Zepplin (1979)
Join Together – The Who (1972)
I Shot The Sheriff – Eric Clapton (1974)
Flashback Segment: WKRP In Cincinnati
Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
Do You Feel Like We Do – Peter Frampton (1976)
Eclipse – Pink Floyd (1973)

“Sweet 70s Soul” Host: Suzanne Somers

You Ought To Be With Me – Al Green (1972)
Don’t Play That Song – Aretha Franklin (1970)
It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me – Barry White (1977)
Flashback Segment: Soul Train
You Make Me Feel Brand New – The Stylistics (1975)
Super Fly – Curtis Mayfield (1972)

“70s Buzz Words” Host: Suzanne Somers

(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty – KC And The Sunshine Band (1976)
Get Up And Boogie (That’s Right) – Silver Convention (1976)
Jive Talkin’ – The Bee Gees (1975)
Flashback Segment: Panasonic Dynamite 8-Track Player Commercial
Shake Your Groove Thing – Peaches & Herb (1979)
Macho Man – The Village People (1978)
Blame It On The Boogie – The Jacksons (1978)

“Salute To Donna Summer” Host: Suzanne Somers

I Feel Love – Donna Summer (1977)
Hot Stuff – Donna Summer (1979)
MacArthur Park – Donna Summer (1978)
Flashback Segment: Disco (The Hustle)
On The Radio – Donna Summer (1979)
Last Dance – Donna Summer (1978)

“Salute To 50s Nostalgia” Host Suzanne Somers

Burning Love – Elvis Presley (1973)
Garden Party – Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band (1972)
The Book Of Love – Sha Na Na (1973)
Flashback Segment: Happy Days
The Candy Man – Sammy Davis Jr. (1972)
Greese Mega Mix – Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta (1978)

“One Hit Wonders” Host: David Cassidy

Drift Away – Dobie Gray (1973)
Put Your Hand In The Hand – Ocean (1971)
Rock On – David Essex (1974)
Flashback Segment: AMC Pacer Commercial
In The Summer Time – Mungo Jerry (1970)
Knock On Wood – Amii Stewart (1979)

“One Hit Wonders 2” Host: David Cassidy

I’ve Got The Music In Me – The Kiki Dee Band (1974)
Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks (1975)
More, More, More – The Andrea True Connection (1976)
Flashback Segment: Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run
Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) – Looking Glass (1972)
Precious And Few – Climax (1972)

“70s Christmas” Host: Suzanne Somers

Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth – Bing Crosby & Davie Bowie (1977)
Step Into Christmas – Elton John (1973)
We Need A Little Christmas – The Osmonds (1979)
Flashback Segment: Mego Kiss Dolls Commercial
Father Christmas – The Kinks (1977)
Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney & Wings (1979)

“Novelty Songs” Host: Suzanne Somers

Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas (1974)
Disco Duck – Rick Dees & His Cast Of Idiots (1976)
Convoy – C.W. McCall (1976)
Flashback Segment: GI Joe With Kung Fu Grip Commercial
The Streak – Ray Stevens (1974)
Short People – Randy Newman (1978)
Outa-Space – Billy Preston (1972)

“Classic 70s Soul” Host: Cynthia Garrett

Papa Was A Rolling Stone – The Temptations (1972)
Fire – The Ohio Players (1974)
Midnight Train To Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips (1973)
Tear The Roof Off The Sucker (Give Up The Funk) – Parliament (1976)
Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine) – James Brown (1970)

“She’s A Rebel” Host Leif Garrett*

I Am Woman – Helen Reddy (1972)
Stop Your Sobbing – The Pretenders (1980)
Because The Night – Patti Smith Group (1978)
Flashback Segment – Gloria Steinem
48 Crash – Suzi Quatro (1973)
Barracuda – Heart (1977)
Heart Of Glass – Blondie (1979)

*This episode is missing the very first host segment but it does contain all five of the original videos that were shown.

“Title Unknown” Host: Leif Garrett**

Boogie Fever – The Sylvers (1976)
I’m Your Boogie Man – KC & The Sunshine Band (1977)
Lean On Me – Bill Withers (1972)
Flashback Segment: Contents Unknown
Love Is Like Oxygen – Sweet (1978)

**This episode is a reconstruction of the original episode. The host segments and flashback segment are missing. The reconstruction does contain four of the five
original videos that were shown but the original order is also unknown.

So, if anyone out there has complete copies of the 'She's A Rebel' episode and the 'Title Unknown' episode, please let me know. I would be willing to trade or purchase copies of those episodes.

1 comment:

derek j said...

Hey, I have the complete She's a rebel and about 16 other 8 track flashbacks episodes all in great quality recorded from satellite to vhs back then. Check my site www.dw-musicvideos.com